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CHASSIDISHE STORY ON THE PARSHA
פרשת תולדות
Parshas Toldos
ויהי עשו איש יודע ציד (תולדות כה:כז)
And Eisav became one who knows trappingRashi says Eisav swindled his father with his mouth by asking halachic questions about taking off maaser (a tenth) from straw and salt, so his father should think he is stringent in keeping mitzvahs.
When the city of Bnei Brak was initially established, they needed to hire a shochet (A scholarly individual proficient with the halachic requirements of slaughtering kosher meat.) A shochet sporting a long, dignified beard gave the appearance of a man with Yiras Shamayim – fear of G-d and knowledge of halachas.
The community leaders told the prospective shochet to visit the Chazon Ish zt’’l and receive his approval. The Chazon Ish conversed with the shochet and said he wasn’t suitable for hire.
The community leaders questioned the Chazon Ish, and the Chazon Ish simply stated, “Because of his long beard.”
They didn’t understand the response; however, sometime later, they learned that this prospective shochet was known as a swindler and thief. He sold a piece of property for three different individuals, sold acres of land that weren’t his, and, in the end, fled to America.
When the community leaders asked the Chazon Ish how he could see in such a short conversation that the prospective shochet wasn’t worthy of the position, the Chazon Ish replied, “If he would’ve been a shoemaker with a long beard, it would symbolize his Yiras Shamayim, and I would recommend him. But this Shochet played with his beard throughout our conversation, and I realized he didn’t possess any qualifications besides his long beard.”
Filed under Parshas Toldos